- Play Three Card Poker Online
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The Three Card Poker game is relatively new compared to many other forms of the game, having been 'invented' only in 1994 and patented in 1997. It's a really fast paced and fun poker game that is very easy to play. Three Card Poker Overview Three Card Poker is a fun and entertaining single deck poker game played exactly as the name says - with a hand containing 3 cards. Additionally, the game features a side bet game completely separate from the main game, allowing players to win even more on every hand. In this video, you'll learn how to play Three Card Poker. This includes poker hand rankings, the different ways you can bet, when to play, when to fold,. But playing online 3 Card Poker has its advantages, such as: Online Casinos extend bonuses, land Casinos don't. Players can play at a much faster pace than in a real Casino. You have access to. Three Card poker is a much simpler way to play online poker. A very popular card game, it is offered in virtually all of the major online casino sites. If you know the basic rules of poker (i.e. – the rankings of the hands), then you should have no problem getting to grips with this elementary but highly fun online poker game.
Of all the casino table games based on poker hand rankings, 3 Card Poker is the most popular. This game combines simple strategy with a shot at some big pay outs for the best poker hands.
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If you live in a state with regulated online casinos, you'll be able to play Three Card Poker via desktops and mobile casino apps. Live dealer online casinos let you play a dealt game online. Software-based games are also available where you can play 3 Card Poker for free or with real money.
The key to the popularity of 3 Card Poker is the ‘Pair Plus' side bet. Most players bet on the main hand (a requirement) and one or more optional side bets. In live casinos, you might find a side bet includes a big progressive jackpot for players lucky enough to hit a 6 card ‘Super' Royal Flush.
This page gives you all you need to get started with 3 Card Poker whether you play online or in a brick and mortar casino. The rules and order of events in a hand of the game are covered directly below. After this, you'll find detailed information on the side bets, house edge, strategy and the options for online play.
How to play 3 Card Poker
Each hand starts with the players placing bets. The only mandatory bet is the Ante. The minimum and maximum bet will vary. Online this can be as little as 50c, in live casinos a $5 minimum is more common. Players often combine their ante bet with one or more side-bets – these are covered in the section below.
After all the players have bet, each player and the dealer are dealt 3 cards face down.
Players examine their cards individually (without sharing what they have with the other players). You then decide whether to fold, which forfeits the ante bet, or raise. To continue with the hand (raise), you place an additional bet equal to the ante on the table in the square marked ‘Play'. Strategy for which option to choose is covered below.
After all the players have either folded or raised, the dealer will reveal his/her cards.
This game includes a dealer qualification rule. If the dealer does not have at least Queen high, his/her has not qualified. When this happens, the ante is paid at 1-to-1 and the Play bet is a push (the stake is returned).
If the dealer has a qualifying hand, then the value of that hand is compared to the value of the players hand to determine the winner. Standard poker hand rankings are used, with bonus payouts paid for a straight or better. Note that with 3 cards, a flush is easier to get than a straight, and so considered below this in the poker rankings. In the rare event of a tie, both the Ante and Play bets are returned.
Payout on Ante Bets
Here are the additional Ante bet pay outs:
- Straight: 1-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 5-to-1
- Straight Flush: 5-to-1
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Simple 3 Card Poker strategy and casino house edge
The math shows that the optimal strategy in 3-Card Poker is to play when you have Queen/6/4 or better, and to fold anything below this. You might notice that this strategy is very close to the dealer's play – qualifying with Queen high. Some players choose to further simplify their strategy by mimicking the dealer and raising with any Queen regardless of the side cards.
While close, this does give the house a slightly bigger advantage in the long run.
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- House Edge for Q/6/4: 3.24%
- House Edge for any Queen: 3.37%
As the side bets are completely independent from the main game, the pay tables for these bets will never influence your strategy.
Popular side bets in Three Card Poker games
For many players, a hand of Three Card Poker would not be complete without a bet on the ‘Pair Plus' side bet. This bet is optional. It is also independent of the main game.
Pair Plus works by looking at your own three cards. If you have less than 1 pair, the bet is lost.
Pairs Plus Payouts
With hands of 1 pair or better, you'll be paid according to the table below:
- Mini Royal (Ace / King / Queen of the same suit): 80-to-1
- Straight Flush: 40-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 25-to-1
- Straight: 6-to-1
- Flush: 3-to-1
- Pair: 1-to-1
Note that you can find casinos with minor variations of this pay table. Some casinos do not offer a boosted prize for a mini-royal, instead increasing the prize for the flush.
The other popular side bet involves all 6 cards in your hand and the dealer's hand. The best possible 5-card poker hand using a combination of these cards will qualify for the bonus. There are several variations under the generic title of 6-card bonus.
Some of these may include progressive jackpots. For example, Caesars Entertainment casinos have a linked progressive which pays on a 6-card ‘Super Royal' in diamonds only.
Payouts for 6-card bonus
Typical payouts for 6-card bonuses are as follows:
- Royal Flush: 1000-to-1
- Straight Flush: 200-to-1
- 4 of a Kind: 5-to-1
- Full House: 25-to-1
- Flush: 15-to-1
- Straight: 10-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 5-to-1
Any hand below 3 of a kind results in a loss. There are many side-bet variations. Some casinos add a (smaller) progressive element to the 3 card hands of individual players. Note that the side bets have a much bigger house edge than the main game. This can be as high as 15.28% in some 6-card bonus variations.
How to Play 3 Card Poker online
Regulation for online casinos is happening at the state level. The online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia will only work within state lines in each instance.
Big casino brands have partnered with local brick and mortar venues to create mobile apps as well as desktop casinos. Brands include 888 Casino, Golden Nugget and Sugarhouse.
You'll be able to enjoy slots, video poker and table games via these casino apps. This includes 3-Card Poker, alongside blackjack, roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and more.
There are two ways to enjoy 3 Card Poker online. First, you can play against casinos on software-based games. These are fast, include side-bets and can be enjoyed for micro-stakes starting at around 50c per hand.
You can also bet on the result of games streamed from a casino. Live dealer 3-Card Poker uses an overlay to bet, with a real dealer handling the cards in real time. Everyone bets on the same hand, with the hand being continued to its conclusion each time (for those people who did not fold).
This way of enjoying 3-Card Poker has social element. You can chat with the dealer and share messages with other players. Stakes are higher compared to the software-based games. You'll have to stay focused on the game. If you time out (or disconnect) before making your decision, then your hand will be folded.
How to clear your bonus using 3 Card Poker
Most mobile casinos in the regulated states offer new players generous bonuses to sign up. These include no-deposit (free play) style bonuses, matched welcome bonus offers based on your first deposit – and many other promotions.
Keep in mind that you'll need to play through your bonus a set number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn.
If you are playing slot machines, then all of your play counts towards ‘clearing' your bonus. With table games including 3-Card Poker, the contribution towards bonus clearing is weighted. Some casinos will allow for 25% of your play to count, while others will offer 10% or under. Before you choose a casino bonus, checking the terms of each bonus for excluded games and weightings is always a sound strategy.
With free-play casino bonuses, you might find that only slots are permitted.
Other casino table games
| Ultimate Texas Hold'em | 3 Card Poker | Let It Ride |
| Baccarat | Blackjack |
Pros and cons: Live vs Online 3-Card Texas Hold'em
While both online and live casino table games have their place, there are distinct advantages to each. If you are lucky enough to live in a state with legal online casinos, the pros and cons are outlined below:
The pros and cons of playing 3-Card Poker online are as follows:
Pros
- No need to travel to a casino to enjoy the game
- Stakes are lower
- Live dealer games include a social element
Cons
- Only available in a handful of regulated states
- Disconnections or time outs (live dealer) mean your hand will be folded
- Game is not fully weighted for clearing casino bonuses
Live 3-Card Poker Casinos
The pros and cons of playing Live 3-Card Poker online are as follows:
Pros
- Enjoyable social settings
- Casinos often have progressive jackpot side bets
- Loyalty schemes with free-play/resort benefits
Cons
- Stakes are generally higher than online ($5 minimum is typical)
- You'll need to travel to a casino
- Naturally slower pace of play
FAQ
Can you cheat at Three Card Poker?
While some forms of collusion are possible, these would be fraudulent and require marked cards or a casino dealer getting involved. Collusion among players would not result in a positive expectation for the game. If players developed a system to share their hands, several cards could be accounted for. This would increase or decrease the chances of the dealer having a good hand slightly – although not enough to win any money over time.
Marked cards or fraudulent collusion would be picked up by casino security as soon as losses from the table were significant. With the base strategy very simple, diversions from this would be very easy to spot.
How big a bankroll do I need for 3-Card Poker?
Compared to many casino table games (UTH, Mississippi Stud and Casino Hold'em for example) the natural variance of 3-Card poker is low. On most hands, you'll be winning or losing single bets. There is also a low house edge, at least in the main game, of 3.27%.
20 times your ante bet is a common starting point for this game. This is enough to enjoy a session, with the possibility of upping your bets if you go on a hot streak.
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Your total bankroll depends on how much you can afford to lose and how easily your gambling money can be topped up.
How does the house edge of 3 Card Poker compare?
Compared to other casino table games based on poker hand rankings, 3 Card Poker has a slightly higher house edge. This game has an easy strategy, which means new players can quickly realize the house edge. Compare this with blackjack, where small mistakes made by newer players can have large effect on the casino's edge.
You should keep in mind that 3-Card Poker side bets have a big edge in favor of the house compared to the main game.
Three Card Poker House Edge vs. Other Table Games
Here is how 3-Card Poker's house edge compares:
- 3 Card Poker: 3.27%
- Blackjack: 0.5% to 3% (depends on the rules)
- Baccarat: 1.06% (if you play the ‘Player' bet)
- Ultimate Texas Hold'em: 2.2% + 0.5% of any play bets
- Roulette: 2.7% / 5.26% (European / US wheel)
- Casino Hold'em: 2.16%
Is it legal to play 3-Card Poker online?
States determine their own laws for online casinos. In each state where these are legal, the casinos will only work within their borders. So far, PA, NJ, MI and WV have legal online casinos. There are many more states in various stages of introducing gambling online.
Outside of these states, you can enjoy limited casino table games and slots at ‘Sweepstakes Casinos'. 3-Card poker has not yet made it to any of these brands.
Final thoughts on 3 Card poker
Of all the casino games based on poker hand ranks, 3-Card Poker is the most popular. This game combines a straightforward strategy (play Q-6-4+/fold otherwise), with the chance of boosted payouts for big poker hands. The house edge, at just 3.27%, is reasonably low. It is harder to make mistakes in this game which could boost this edge in favor of the casino. Optional side bets are available, many of them with big progressive jackpots.
If you live in one of the regulated states, you can now enjoy free and real money 3 Card online. This can be played against software, or at live dealer online casinos – where you'll bet on a dealt game streamed from a studio.
Other popular games
3 Card Poker is one of the most popular casino table games that uses poker hand rankings. Compared to games like Ultimate Texas Hold'em and Let It Ride, the strategy for 3-Card Poker is simple. This makes it accessible to new players – as well as entertaining for experienced table game fans.
As the name suggests, this game starts with 3 cards dealt to each player and the dealer. You then make a simple choice, play or fold, based on the strength of your hand. There are two different side bets to enjoy with the potential for big money payouts. Fans of this game consider the ‘Pairs+' side bet to be an essential part of the game.
There are three ways to enjoy 3 Card Poker in Michigan. You can play at live casinos in Detroit, such as Greektown and MGM Grand. You can play on Michigan casino apps against the software, or you can play at live dealer Michigan casinos – where the hands are streamed from a studio in real time.
Rules: How Does Three Card Poker Work?
Carribean hold em. Before a hand is dealt, players each post a bet known as the ante. Live casinos have table minimums of around $5, you can bet less online.
Players and the dealer will now be dealt three cards each. Your cards will be face up, while the dealer's cards are face down. Having seen your hand, you must decide whether to ‘play' or not. If you do, another bet equal to the size of the ante must be placed. If you fold, your ante bet is removed.
If you do ‘play', then the dealer's hand will be revealed and compared to yours. If the dealer's hand is better (using standard poker hand ranks), you lose both the ante and the play part of your bet. If your hand is the better of the two, you immediately win your ante bet.
For winning hands there is a dealer qualification rule. If the dealer qualifies with Queen high or better, you get paid on your ‘play' bet. If the dealer did not qualify, then that bet is a push – the stake is simply returned.
Three Card Poker Example Hand
You bet $5 as the ante, and you reveal a pair of Aces in your hand. You ‘play' and bet another $5. If the dealer has a qualified hand worse than a pair of aces – for example Ace-King-Nine, you will win both bets and have a total return of $20 (a profit of $10). If the dealer's hand does not qualify (for example 7-4-2 of different suits), you win the ante and push with the play bet, for a total return of $15 ($5 profit).
3 Card Poker Strategy
The strategy for three card poker is easy. Any time you have at least a Queen high, with at least a seven alongside it, you should bet. You can also bet if you hold Q-6-5 or Q-6-4. Any hands lower than that you should simply discard. Any pairs or higher should be played.
Side Bets in 3 Card Poker
Online casino review. In addition to the main action, there are two side bets you can place for added action:
Pair+: This side bet is based on the strength of your own 3 cards. You are be paid at the following odds if you land any of these hands:
- Pair 1:1
- Flush 3:1
- Straight 6:1
- Three of a Kind 30:1
- Straight Flush 40:1
- Mini Royal Flush (AKQ suited) 200:1
6 Card Bonus: This second side bet is based on the best combined 5 card hand you can make from both your 3 cards and the dealer's 3 cards. Some casinos have progressive jackpots, with the biggest prize for a Royal Flush in diamonds or 6-card Royal. Here are the pay outs:
- Three of a Kind 5:1
- Straight 10:1
- Flush 20:1
- Full House 25:1
- Four of a Kind 50:1
- Straight Flush 200:1
- Royal Flush 1000:1 (or Progressive)
Where Can You Play 3 Card Poker in Michigan?
3 Card Poker is a popular game across Michigan and can be enjoyed at a large number of live casinos around the state. This game is also popular online, with a range of different casino sites featuring the game. One popular version is ‘Three Card Poker' from SG Digital.
You can also enjoy Three Card Poker at live dealer online casinos. Real games are streamed from studios, allowing you to bet remotely. Live Dealer Three Card Poker is played one-to-many – with everyone betting on the same hand. This format is social, with options to (text) chat with the dealer and other players while you gamble.
Wrapping Up: Three Card Poker in Michigan
Three Card Poker is one of the most popular table games which is loosely based on poker hands. The appeal comes from the right balance of simple strategy and big-win potential. Many players bet the main hand and Pair+ side bet, seeing them both as essential parts of the game. The 6-card bonus has a progressive jackpot at the bigger live casinos in Michigan.
There are two ways to enjoy this game at real money online casinos. You can play against the software – or join a live game via your desktop or mobile device.
